New Zealand embraces pill testing as Australian politicians resist

A key member of the New Zealand government has called pill testing a "fantastic idea"

SBS News (Australia)Thursday, January 3, 2018

As Australian politicians continue to rule out pill testing at music festivals, New Zealand appears to be embracing the controversial practice. The country's Police Minister Stuart Nash said the idea of independent pill testing tents was "a fantastic idea and should be installed at all our festivals". "The war on drugs hasn't worked in the past 20 years, so it's time to change to a more compassionate and restorative approach," Mr Nash said. "We know young people are taking them, so we have to be pragmatic about it and not bury our head in the sand." Former Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Palmer has called on leaders to show some "courage" and introduce the practice. But state governments have pushed back against the idea.

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